Spring weather leads to a surge in tick bites nationwide

The number of people bitten by ticks is up sharply so far this year, when compared with average years, according to monitoring website Tekenradar.nl.

The increase is down to a “special combination” of weather types – the wet, cold period in mid May followed by extremely warm, dry conditions – the organisation said.

This created “ideal” conditions for ticks and that, coupled with good weather attracting day trippers over the Whit holiday weekend, led to a “very sharp surge” in tick bite reports.

The website, operated by the RIVM public health institute and Wageningen University, is warning people who have been enjoying the countryside to check their bodies for ticks when they come home.

Bites from infected ticks can cause Lyme disease and the quicker the tick is removed, the smaller the chances of infection. Of the estimated 1.5 million people who are bitten by ticks each year some 27,000 contract Lyme disease.

Between 1,000 and 1,500 people go on to develop long term problems as a result, including joint pain, heart disease and lack of concentration, the RIVM said.